What’s Your Next Move?

Many years ago, my son introduced me to Sudoku. I think he’d been given the puzzle as homework and asked me to help him. I really enjoyed them and have gotten to the point where I only do the really difficult ones because they challenge me. One thing I’ve found is that I sometimes get to a point where I see no moves, no strategic plays that will help me finish the number puzzle, and irritated, I step away. Many times, when I come back to it, a play that seems so obvious pops out at me, and I’m able to move forward in completing the puzzle. 

I think sometimes in life, we are stuck with no end in sight to our dilemmas. We get frustrated, sometimes angry, and in that moment, we don’t see any way out. But, if we could step away for a bit, focus on something else for a while, maybe…just maybe…when we come back to it, we will see a possible solution or maybe even the problem solved all together. 

When I first became a believer, I remember someone saying to me, “when you’re struggling, start praying for others and their needs.” They said when your focus is shifted away from your own pain and you’re concentrating on the needs of others, your own problem seems much less significant.  That’s not to say your problem is gone, but maybe with a fresh perspective, and a restored sense of hope, you can face your giant and discover a solution.  

Philippians 2:4 (ESV) “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Jesus was the perfect example; just before He was captured, fully aware of His fate, He was praying for His disciples and that through their testimony, you and I would know Him. I’m not sure if I was facing a brutal death that I’d be worried about anyone but myself, but that is my earthly humanity. I pray that as I grow in my walk with Jesus, that I too can put others before myself, even in my most trying times, and that by doing so, my path gets a little bit easier to follow.